Water charges to be determined by poll

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A MAJOR consultation has begun on the future of water and sewage services in the Portsmouth area.

Southern Water is inviting people to help steer the company’s priorities for the next decade and beyond.

Darren Bentham, Southern Water’s chief customer officer, said: ‘We want to understand what people want from our services, what is acceptable to them.

‘These opinions will help us develop our plans and make sure the things that are important to them are considered.

‘Our engagement will be open and transparent reaching out across the communities we serve, so that people from all backgrounds can have their say.’

Feedback will help shape the company’s plans for the next 25 years and be submitted to Ofwat, the water industry regulator, in 2014. The final plan will determine what customers pay in the years ahead.

A Customer Challenge Group, which is independent of Southern Water, has been set up to represent customers’ views and make sure that feedback is taken into account.

To get involved in the consultation visit swhaveyoursay.co.uk or swccg.org.uk.